EU published plans for ‘independent media councils’ to monitor media across the EU with powers to remove journalistic status

It has recently been brought to my attention that in 2013, the little known ‘High Level Group on Media Freedom and Pluralism” published a report calling for new regulatory bodies to provide oversight of journalists and publishers across Europe to ensure they act responsibly.

The report stated that “Such bodies would have competences to investigate complaints [and] should have real enforcement powers, such as the imposition of fines, orders for printed or broadcast apologies, or removal of journalistic status.”

The report goes on to say “All EU countries should have independent media councils with a politically and culturally balanced and socially diverse membership.”